Trail Name: Cashin Mine/La Sal Creek TrailBest Use: Hiking, BirdingBest Time for Use: Best in Spring, Summer and Fall for hikingDifficulty: Hiking – Intermediate Length: 7.8 miles (12.6 km) as a down and back, 7.5 miles (10.1 km) down and out combined with the Dolores River TrailStart Elevation: 5,350 ft (1,631 m) Maximum Elev: 0 ft (0 m), -370 ft (113 m)Trail Surface and Use: A lightly used, single track trail that has been developed on a long- abandoned 2-track dirt road.Trail Head Access: Suitable for 2WD auto in good weather, 4WD in fair to poor weather.Trail Head Coordinates: 679,160 E; 4,242,240 N UTM Zone 12 WGS84Best Feature: Great views from inside a major tributary of the Dolores River, which in this area is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wilderness Study Area (WSA).Cautions: The trail crosses La Sal Creek number of times. Be careful during spring run-off and when thunderstorms are forecast. Poison Ivy is also occasionally present along the sides of the creek.

Description: The trailhead parking is at an old abandoned copper mine. Be very careful around the mine openings and structures. The descending trail, which follows a narrow, long-abandoned state highway roadbed active from the 1890’s to the 1930’s, crosses the creek in a number of places. Most crossings can be made dry by hopping from stone to stone, but this may be difficult during periods of high water. High sandstone cliffs shade much of the canyon, making this trail more comfortable than others during the heat of the summer. Trail end is the junction with the Dolores River trail. A shuttle can be made between this trail’s trailhead and the Dolores River trailhead so that both trails can joined for a single trip.

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